Khao Kheow Open Zoo will host a three-day celebration titled "Moo Deng HAPPY Deng DAY" from July 10–12 to mark the second birthday of the globe-trotting pygmy hippopotamus. The event will also unveil Hippo Village, a newly developed exhibition and habitat designed to enhance animal welfare and visitor education.

Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi announced the festivities will feature birthday singing and a special cake presentation on July 10, along with meet-and-greets with zoo staff and animal keepers. Throughout the three days, visitors can enjoy wildlife mascot parades, game booths, an exhibition on the Hippo Village project, birthday card-writing stations, and exclusive Moo Deng merchandise alongside local Chonburi OTOP products.

Children 12 and under, visitors no taller than 135 centimeters, and adults aged 60 and over will receive free admission during the celebration period, though vehicle entrance fees will still apply.

According to Space.com, NASA had planned to send a soccer ball from the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the moon if the United States won the championship. However, that dream came to an end before the Round of 16 match between the US and Belgium began.

Before the game kicked off, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, "This would have been a little push for Team USA. We were aiming to go one step further than Alan Shepard, who played golf on the lunar surface. We would have brought a soccer ball there instead."

This incident occurred in 1971 when Shepard secretly brought two golf balls and a modified golf club aboard the Apollo 14 mission, making him the only NASA astronaut to play golf on the moon. However, the football mission was officially approved by NASA. "I don't yet know which landing vehicle it would have gone on," Isaacman said.

Regardless, the plan appears to have fallen through. The United States lost to Belgium 4-1 in the Round of 16 of the World Cup.

Thailand's Trade Competition Commission (TCCC) has created two new subcommittees to crack down on digital platform conduct and study modern wholesale and retail markets, seeking to prevent market monopolization, protect small business operators, and foster free and fair competition in the digital economy. On July 7, 2026, Assistant Professor Sutham Yuindharm, acting chairman of the TCCC, announced that the commission approved the establishment of a subcommittee on guidelines and preventive measures for trade practices in digital platform businesses. This panel, chaired by Police Major General Pittaya Siribhuraksa and including trade competition commissioners Pol. Col. Songsak Raksakskulwong, Tongchai Chawaleepicheth, and Pattama Theeravisitskulkul, will drive rigorous oversight measures for digital platform businesses while coordinating with government agencies, private sector entities, and all relevant stakeholders to prevent unfair trade conduct and promote competition.

Simultaneously, the TCCC approved a second subcommittee to develop guidelines and action plans for modern wholesale and retail market competition. Led by Pol. Col. Songsak Raksakskulwong and including commissioners Pattama Theeravisitskulkul and Tongchai Chawaleepicheth, this panel will study and analyze modern wholesale-retail market structures, build databases to assess retail concentration and its impact on small operators, and recommend oversight measures. The subcommittee also includes experts from government and private sector organizations including the Office of Industrial Economics, the Office of SME Promotion, Thai SME Federation, and the Thai Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises. The establishment of these subcommittees reflects serious commitment to monitoring trade competition as business dynamics rapidly evolve, creating a competitive environment that is free and fair.

On July 7, 2569, Deputy Prime Minister Phakaron Nila-anantha outlined the government's strategy to allow voluntary early retirement for civil servants, with implementation planned for fiscal year 2570. The policy addresses ballooning recurring expenditures that have constrained the budget for public investment and assistance programs. The government aims to reduce the civil service workforce through a voluntary system while maintaining administrative positions only where necessary. Beyond budgetary concerns, the initiative capitalizes on technological advances that can replace routine office functions. Examples include eliminating typist positions, since personnel already possess computer and mobile skills, and streamlining administrative roles through technology adoption. However, Phakaron emphasized the rollout will be gradual, as technological readiness varies across agencies. Responding to questions about which positions may be reduced, he confirmed the program will begin with civil servants and potentially expand to local government, state enterprises, the military, and police, noting the armed forces and police are already implementing similar measures. When asked about proposed age criteria for early retirement, Phakaron noted that the current framework requires either at least two years of remaining service or age 55 or above. He suggested lowering the threshold to age 40, as younger retirees can more easily acquire new skills. However, he stopped short of setting a specific age minimum, stating the door should remain open for interested parties. Phakaron confirmed the program must be completed within fiscal year 2570 and indicated the government will rely on incentives rather than mandatory measures, including reskilling opportunities. The Civil Service Commission will oversee implementation, coordinating with the Comptroller General's Department, the Government Pension Fund, and the Insurance Commission to transition healthcare benefits from current medical welfare to health insurance coverage.

On July 7, 2024, the Crime Suppression Division arrested Ms. Thanyarat, 46, at an apartment in Saraphi district, Chiang Mai. She was wanted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the public, inputting false data into computer systems, money laundering, and operating illegal gambling operations.

Investigators discovered an organized criminal network that deceived people into investing through online platforms. The gang operated systematically, with recruiters luring victims and specialists opening shell company bank accounts—over 50 companies in total—to receive victim transfers.

More than 100 million baht was stolen from numerous victims who filed reports at police stations across multiple areas. About 50 suspects received arrest warrants.

Thanyarat was identified as a company director of one of the over 50 shell companies used as fronts. Victims transferred approximately 3 million baht into her company's accounts before she fled to Chiang Mai.

Under interrogation, Thanyarat admitted she previously worked for call centers and illegal gambling websites in neighboring countries, learning their operations. She later partnered with former colleagues to establish shell companies and opened four bank accounts in corporate names, providing them to call center gangs for illegal transactions. She received revenue shares as compensation.

She also admitted to sourcing and registering phone numbers—known as "sim horses"—for the scam gangs. Police transferred her to Klong Tan Station for further legal proceedings.

A 28-year-old Malaysian footballer died from an apparent lightning strike while playing in a friendly match in Malacca state on July 5, sending shockwaves through the nation's soccer community. The referee in the same match was injured and hospitalized for treatment.

The victim, identified as Thanech, 28, collapsed during the match at Lendoo Racam Muda Complex around 5:40 p.m. local time. Teammates rushed him to Alor Gajah Hospital by private car, but doctors could not save him. According to reports, the friendly match between Rembau Indian Veteran FC and Tanjung Minyak FC had been underway for only about 10 minutes when light rain began to fall. Then a loud clap of thunder echoed across the stadium, and teammates discovered Thanech, the referee, and one other person had collapsed simultaneously.

Ahmad Abu Bakar, the police chief for Alor Gajah district, revealed the referee was transported by ambulance, while the third affected person was safe and did not require hospitalization. Officers believe all incidents occurred shortly after the thunder clap.

An initial autopsy showed no signs of foul play or criminal activity, but burn marks consistent with lightning strike injuries were found on Thanech's body. The Malacca hospital is conducting a full autopsy to officially confirm the cause of death. Police have classified the case as a sudden death investigation.

Following the incident, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced it would request a full report from the Malacca Football Association and match organizers to gather all facts. FAM Secretary-General Dato Nur Azman Rahman expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and hopes all parties will cooperate fully with investigations.

The FAM secretary-general emphasized that deciding to stop or postpone matches due to unsafe weather conditions is not a failure of match organizers but the correct decision to protect athletes, referees, and all stadium personnel. FAM has called on state football associations, clubs, academies, and match organizers nationwide to closely monitor weather conditions before, during, and after matches. The association also recommends installing lightning detection systems that can identify lightning activity in real-time and provide advance warnings, allowing officials to halt games or evacuate people promptly. Such systems are already used in professional leagues and football competitions in many countries as important safety and risk management measures.